Northern Border Zoriath Kingdom
To The Fortress Of Karath
Snow fell like powdered silver over the northern highlands , each flake catching faint glimmersof starlight . The night was calm - and too calm , the kind of silence that hid the smell of danger .
Through that silence , three travelers made their way up a forzen ridge .
Leading them was Reina , wrapped in a long black cloak , her silver white hair tucked neatly beneath a maid's bonnet wearing the mask with the wolf in shape .
Beneath the disguise gleamed the faint shimmer of the Mystic Art Aura .
Behind her trudged Arya , the red haired dragon maid with curved horn , humming as she carried half a tree's worth of firewood
" Just in case " .
Floating lazily above them was , Kotaro a small puffed of cloud with tiny arms ,glowing
eyes , and an unreasonably smug expression -- a wind spirit Reina had accidentally created during training.
" Master , I don't understand ," Arya said tugged at her frilly sleeve .
" Why are we sneaking around in maid uniforms again ? "
" Because , " Reina replied, " maids don't attract suspicion "
" You're glowing with divine aura . "
" That's why the bonnet helps . And Mask too . "
Arya sighed as she knew the result , " It really doesn't. "
Kotaro bobbed up and down , laughing like a squeaky flute .
" Maid Rei- chan ! ~ Maid Arya - chan ! ~ We are invincibwee ."
Reina sighed . " Kotaro , silence. "
The spirit puffed itself into a tiny ball of offended fluff .
" Meanie ..... "
-----------++±++++++++++++------
By the midnight , they reached the Fortress Of Karath , crumbling ruin swallowed by snow . Once the pride of the border knights , now it reeked of smoke , blood and cheap wine .
From the cliffs , Reina observed through shimmering -
Mystic Art : Sight - her emerald green eyes reflecting life within the ruins .
" Thirty Guards outside , Fifty inside " she murmured.
" Only fifty ? " Arya cracked her knuckles .
" That's just a warm-up . "
" No rampaging ,untill I say so " Reina warned Arya .
" Fine ,Fine , But if someone calls me a bad looking maid again , I'm setting them on fire."
Reina adjusted her mask , her voice calm .
" Let's move. "
They slipped through the wind like ghosts , like their bodies blurred by --;
Mystic Art : Silent Gale
----;;;;;;(((((((++++++-------++
Deep within the Fortress , the air was thick with torch smoke . Chains hung from the ceiling , glinting like black fangs .
There ,bound to a cracked marble pillar , was - Princess Serene - her white gown torn , her eyes burning with defiance despite exhaustion.
Before her stood a giant of a man , Kalasa , leader of the mercenaries . His face was crisscrossed with scars , his armor forged from scavenged holy plates .
In his hands gleamed a dark aura blade which corrupted with malice .
" The second princess of Zoriath " he said grinning , " alone in my hall . The ransom for your royal blood could buy an empire . "
" You'll die before you touch me . " Serene hissed .
Kalasa laughed . " You nobles and your prides. "
He lifted his blade ---
---and the torches went out .
A breeze trolled through the hall carrying a faint scent of lilies and lightning .
" Who's there ? " Kalasa growled.
A soft , polite voice echoed from the shadows .
" Forgive the intrusion " it said . " I'm here for the cleaning. "
Out of the darkness stepped a maid - Reina -
Her mask glinting gold , her sword sheathed at her side . Behind her , Arya enterd with a faintly glowing Kotaro perched on her head .
" Intruders ! " a bandit shouted .
" Yes , " Arya said cheerfully . " The last ones you'll ever see . "
----+++++-------------;;++++++++
The first bandit lunged forward . He didn't reach her . Reina's closed her eyes and said ,---
" Arise , Wolf "
A scattering and glowing aura forming sword of Ray Throne .
Then ,in hands of Reina --- blade moved once --- a sikver face ----- he crumpled without a sound .
Another charged : Arya caught his axe in one hand , crushed the metal and hurled him through a wall .
Panic erupted . Men screamed . Swords clashed .
Reina moved through the chaos like a storm. Her sword traced arcs of golden light - Flash Strike -- each movement leaving sparks dancing through the air .
" Kill her ! " Kalasa roared . " That's demon . "
Reina raised her hand , whispering .
" Mystic Art - Wind Bind "
Dozens of invisible threads coiled around the bandits, pinning them mid motion.
Arya , moved like lightning , slammed one into the wall and flipping another over her shoulder with maid like precision.
" Arya , less property damage ," Reina muttered.
" I'm cleaning the trash , Master ."
" You're redecorating the entire Fortress . "
Kotaro floated past zapping a bandit with a static pop . " Pew pew ! "
Kalasa roared , stepping forward . His corrupted aura flare dark flames wrapping the ground beneath him .
" You think a little girl can challenge me ? "
He strike and got blocked by Reina .
" No " Reina said , blocking the sword , " I know I can . "
Kalasa swung with monstrous strength each strike shaking the hall. . Reina moved lightly , parrying with perfect timing , every motion fluid as flowing air .
Then He charged his corrupted aura blade .
It screamed with a thousand lost voices each strokes leaving black trails in the air .
Reina met head on . Their blades collided ,
shockwaves blasting across the hall , shattering the floor .
Arya shielded the princess , flames bursting
around her as she blocked incoming arrows with her tail.
Reina pressed forward . The clash of steel echoed like thunder
" Who..... are you ? " Kalasa growled , pushing against her blade . " Your aura -- so familiar ---
Reina's mask cracked revealing half her face golden eyes burning with restrainted fury .
" You talk too much " she said coldly .
Their aura flared -- the collision sent ripples through the air , distorting reality itself .
Kalasa roared unleashing all his energy.
" This power -- I've seen it before ! You --- no ,he --- you're....
Reina's sword plugged forward , cutting clean through his weapon , his armor , his very essence .l
Kalasa fell to his knees , coughing blood . His eyes widened in shock , yet behind them
there was a flicker of recognition.
" You've come again , Ray Throne " He whispered " Just like he said . ...."
Reina forze ." Who .... ? "
But he was already gone . His body turned to ash , carried away by the fading wind .
-------++++++++
Battle ended in silence.
Arya walks forward brushing soot off her maid outfit . " You always leave quite the impression, master ."
Reina didn't respond . Her heart quickened .
He had spoken as if he knew her .
Arya noticed the tension , " what's wrong ? "
Reina turned scanning the far wall ---- and stopped .
High above through a scattered archway s man stood . Cloaked in black his face hidden behind silver maks etched with ancient runes..
He watched Reina silently , his gaze piercing
through the distance.
" Who -- could have know about my past ? "
" Master ." Arya said softly. " Someone is watching us . "
Before Reina could move , the figure vanished into shadow leaving behind .
" That wasn't a normal man , Master . "
" That was someone who knew me before ."
Reina muttered .
-------+++++++++++++
After math ..
They freed Princess Serene form her chains .
The young royal trembled through her voice remained steady .
" You ....saved me . Who are you ? "
" I am ... " Reina said " just a maid , my lady ."